A devastating home race for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc turned into a brilliant victory for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The 77thMonaco Grand Prix brought Lewis his 77thcareer win and third win at the legendary street circuit, which he dedicated to the late, great Niki Lauda.
On Sunday, the grid was filled with drivers sporting red caps in remembrance of the Formula 1 icon who passed away a few days before the race weekend. Hamilton wore a Niki Lauda tribute helmet as he raced, designed specifically for the Monaco GP.
Lewis Hamilton said,
“That was probably the hardest race I’ve had, but nonetheless I really was fighting with the spirit of Niki. I was trying to stay focused and trying to make him proud. That’s been the goal all week and we’re going to try to continue that through the year. We truly miss him.”
As worn rubber began to line the streets of Monaco, Leclerc experienced another disappointing chapter in his F1 career. He retired on lap 18 due to a damaged rear tyre.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fought the Mercedes of Hamilton right to the last lap, pushing to steal first place but ending up in 4thdue to a penalty for unsafe release.
Watching the F1 battlefield from Amber Lounge’s trackside yachts were celebrities Blaise Matuidi, Josephine Skriver, Olivia Culpo, Madison Headrick, Marco Verratti and Mark Cavendish MBE among a host of other VIP guests. Come Sunday night the Amber Lounge GP after party was the places to be as drivers, teams, celebrities and VIP guests celebrated with 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.
Results
1 L. Hamilton
2 S. Vettel
3 V. Bottas
4 M. Verstappen
5 P. Gasly
6 C. Sainz
7 D. Kvyat
8 A. Albon
9 D. Ricciardo
10 R. Grosjean
11 L. Norris
12 S. Pérez
13 N. Hülkenberg
14 K. Magnussen
15 G. Russell
16 L. Stroll
17 K. Räikkönen
18 R. Kubica
19 A. Giovinazzi
20 C. Leclerc